Australian grand prix - in pictures

Ah, the familiar sights of Formula One, back again after a protracted hiatus. You can always trust the Aussies to put on a good show. Their man Mark Webber has yet to deliver a victory on home soil, but could this be the year he finally comes good?

Hamilton had promised to give the German a run for his money into the opening corner, but instead the Brit is jostling with the Red Bull behind him. Further back, Jenson Button has lost ground to the black Renault of Vitaly Petrov, while Alonso is forced wide

An over-head photograph shows just how the race to the first corner unfolded: Vettel's progress was entirely unchallenged while Webber narrowly failed to sneak past Hamilton on the outside. Button's desire to foil Alonso allowed Petrov to successfully sweep through on the inside, followed shortly by Felipe Massa

Given Vettel's pace and his outstanding start, this race looks a foregone conclusion already. The German has led every lap of the previous two grand prix and surely only a slip-up can deny him victory today

Button's hopes of a third straight win in Melbourne are crushed by Massa's defensive tactics. Only when Button mistakenly cuts the chicane does he advance past the Brazilian, but inevitably the 2009 world champion is called into the pits for a drive-through penalty